"Your Highness," The Duke of Blackridge called out to Leander as he walked in the Palace loggia.
He halted, head tilting, "Duke Rowan Blackridge," he acknowledged.
Blackridge smiled, "What an honor. His Highness remembers my name."
The Prince returned the smile, which did not fully reach his eyes, "Your presence is so powerful, it's hard to forget such a name."
The Duke laughed, "My, I'm flattered."
"How may I help you, Duke Rowan?"
He straightened, "Oh, I only wanted a moment of your time to let you know your political and intellectual abilities are truly… remarkable."
Leander nodded, "Go on,"
"So… if Your Highness would potentially require my help, your loyal servant will always be at your disposal," he smiled.
Leander maintained his own smile, while the gears in his mind clicked.
An alliance? With Blackridge?
Over my dead body.
"I appreciate the sentiment, and I will keep that in mind. However, I would not dare to disturb a Lord of such high standing for matters I myself have to see to," he tilted his head, gauging his reaction.
For a fraction of a second, his eyes widened at Leander's velveted rejection. But he quickly regained his composure and laughed.
"Is that so? Alright, but even so, I will always be at Your Highness' side, through thick and thin."
Leander narrowed his eyes, translating what he said in his head.
'Consider me an enemy'?
Very well, Rowan Blackridge.
"Oh and," he added just as Leander was about to turn, "I have one more thing to ask of you, Your Highness."
Lee raised a brow, "And that is…?"
"My son's wedding ceremony is being held… next month, I presume. I hope that His Highness will be gracious enough to attend."
The Prince frowned, "Your son's-"
Oh.
His son is getting married to… her.
Cheap threat, but smart.
He forced a smile, "I will surely consider it."
Blackridge smiled, eyes full of venom, then bowed and left.
Leaving Leander alone in the loggia, shock, and something else, momentarily settling on his shoulders.
"Next… month?" He stared at the sky, "you sure are quick to forget…"
Then, in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper, he added, "...Tia. Why can't I forget you?"
. . .
Two days ago, Artemesia woke up to the chirping of birds outside her window.
How long was I out?
She remembered that she rotted in bed that whole day, ignoring knocks and her family's calls.
Getting up, she groggily walked to her vanity. She sat down, but when she saw her reflection in the mirror, she was rendered speechless.
Swollen red eyes were staring back at her. Her clothes were crumpled and ruined. Her hair was like a bird's nest, and her lips were red and swollen.
She gently grazed her lower lip with her thumb, reminded of how anxious and terrified she was last night.
Today? It almost seems like she expected this whole mess. It was either the rational part of her brain or the shock speaking. Either way, she decided to use it to her advantage.
It was still very early, so in a few hours, she should go to breakfast like nothing happened. The last thing she needs is suspicion.
For now? She needs a strategy.
She got up and grabbed a piece of paper, listing down the people she could potentially confide in.
"Jonathan? No, definitely not." She scratched the name before she even wrote it fully.
"He has his own duties to focus on. I must take care of this without bothering him."
She paused, considering her options.
"Mother? Maybe." She drew a little flowsheet in front of where she wrote 'Duchess', and extended three branches.
"First possibility, highly unlikely, she will encourage me to marry the Blackridges, and then destroy them from within through me."
She took in account her Mother's strategic, but protective, nature.
"The second possibility, also very unlikely, is that she'll drag me out of the marriage and tell me to wait until she can support me as I meddle in Imperial politics." she scribbled as she mumbled to herself.
"Third, highly likely, she'll still drag me out of the marriage, but tell me not to get involved in the Imperial Succession." She pursed her lips. "Maybe find a new suitor, too."
She leaned back, running a hand through her hair, "That would be fine… but what about him? How will he be okay? He's going to be caught completely off guard."
Before she could stop it, her thoughts drifted.
Hair as bright as sunlight, eyes as green as a forest…
Suddenly, she slapped herself, "Focus, Artemesia, Focus."
Just as she steered herself back to the matter at hand, a line from her past drifted back to her.
"Well then, I'll be waiting for you to come for my help."
She paused.
A crown of curly gold hair, a dimple on his right cheek.
She stared at the wall, lost in thought.
He'll either be able to take the blow, and make it out alive, or he won't be able to withstand it and the empire will crumble.
"No, Artemesia, you have no right to involve him."
A beat later, her voice was soft as she repeated someone's words,
"After all, I… ruined him… How much more selfish can I get?"
. . .
"Good morning, John." She glanced at Jonathan who sat at the head of the Table.
"Good morning," he repeated, looking up.
"I haven't seen you around in a while. Where have you been?" he asked, brows raised.
She smiled, "I was right here. You're just busy. Even now," she pointed at him, "you're in full uniform."
He scoffed, "Yes, I've taken over Mother's place in the Imperial Cabinet meetings these days," he elaborated, "I just came from one, so I didn't have time to change before breakfast."
Tia nodded thoughtfully, "I understand, no worries."
He looked around, "Where is Mother?"
"She's attending a tea party. With the Empress and the Dowager Duchess of Heisenberg."
He made an 'oh' sound and went back to his pancakes.
A few minutes later, he spoke, "Looks like that princeling is now a player on the chessboard."
Artemesia paused, "Who?"
"The Crown Prince."
She stiffened, but quickly regained her composure. "How so? And it's 'His Highness', not 'princeling', John," she added sternly.
"Yes, whatever. He has been a princeling…until today."
"He must've done something really great to impress even you, John," she thought aloud.
Jonathan laughed, "I saw him. First thing he did when he entered was testing the waters, and then he dived right in." He shook his head, "Even managed to humble that cocky Ashthorne."
Tia raised a brow, "Oh?"
He nodded, buttering another toast, "Looks like he's finally cementing his position as the future ruler. Someone to keep a close eye on."
Tia nodded, lost in thought.
When Artemesia walked back to her room, she erased all the previous possibilities.
And brought forth a new one. Which could be extremely beneficial or… dangerous.